Image courtesy Bruce Rominger
Well-known Rominger Brothers Farms got national recognition for their ongoing conservation efforts. The Yolo County Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office submitted the family for consideration of the National Conservation Planning Partnership’s Hugh Hammond Bennett Awards for Conservation Excellence. The NRCS and National Association of Conservation Districts gave this year’s producers award to Bruce and Rick Rominger of Rominger Farms in Winters, California.
News release from National Association of Conservation Districts
The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) recognized winners of national awards at the organization’s 2019 Annual Meeting Appreciation Banquet.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Matthew Lohr and NACD President Brent Van Dyke presented the National Conservation Planning Partnership (NCPP)’s Hugh Hammond Bennett Awards for Conservation Excellence. Bruce and Rick Rominger of Rominger Farms in Winters, Calif., received the award for producers in recognition of their innovative conservation efforts on their land. Brad Wenz of Waite Park, Minn., received the award for conservation planning, in honor of his 38 years working one-on-one with farmers and ranchers to help them improve and protect their land.
Lohr and Van Dyke also presented the NACD/NRCS Olin Sims Conservation Leadership Award to Dick Went of North Scituate, R.I., for his extensive leadership ensuring conservation-minded farming techniques throughout the state of Rhode Island are in good partnership with nature.
James Vaughn of Vaughn Farms in Forsyth, Ga., received the 2018 NACD Friend of Conservation Award for his contributions to conserving the nation’s natural resources. Vaughn, who manages a family cattle operation, partners with the Towaliga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and NRCS to implement innovative natural resource conservation practices and educational programs.
The 2018 NACD Distinguished Service award recipient, Creede Speake of Springer, Okla., has been serving conservation efforts in Southern Oklahoma for the last 69 years. Speake has assisted in securing easements for the state’s watershed flood control program and has been instrumental in the restoration of native prairie in Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas.
The 2018 NACD President’s Award was presented to Bob Warner of Warner Ranch in Brighton, Colo. Warner has represented Colorado on NACD’s Board of Directors since 2002 and has worked with the Platte Valley CD since the 1970s.
On Tuesday morning, Chief Lohr and President Van Dyke presented Cumberland County Soil Conservation District (SCD) in Crossville, Tenn., with the 2018 Earth Team Award.
The National Conservation District Employees Association (NCDEA) also presented annual awards on Feb. 5, recognizing Paul Middleton “Pete” Hunter, Jr., of Coahoma County SWCD, Miss., as the 2018 Outstanding Conservation District Board Member and Janice Gilispie of Warren SCD, Tenn., as the 2018 Outstanding Conservation District Employee.
For more information on NACD’s annual awards, visit the NACD Awards webpage.